We've not done this particular route, but have done several Med. cruises (and will do again on Millie in May) and if memory serves correctly, the only Island that I actually remember seeing while cruising was off Sicily - it was Stromboli - the volcano was really active the first time we cruised by - and it was late in the evening: beautiful sight......Can't specifically remember whales or anything - but we were so beat after spending days on shore excursions that we weren't really looking!

If your ship docks in Sicily (Messina?) - do try and get to Taromina (rough spelling, I know) but it is a really neat place to visit - there's not much to see in Messina - but there is a lovely park close by where the ship may dock....

You've booked a wonderful cruise and it sounds like a fabulous itinerary - and while we've never cruised on Galaxy - we can speak well about Celebrity! The best. (You WILL be treated "famously"!)